Residential Mortgage Survey Results for May 2006

According to the 23 authorized institutions (AIs) which participate in the HKMA's monthly survey of residential mortgage lending, new mortgage loans drawn down during May rose by 12.9% to HK$10.0 billion.

New loans approved by the AIs also increased by 19.7% to HK$13.7 billion. Those related to primary market transactions increased significantly by 91.0% (+HK$1,543 million). Approvals for secondary market transactions and refinancing loans increased by 9.6% (+HK$699 million) and 0.8% (+HK$19 million) respectively.

The most commonly used interest rate band for new approvals in May continued to be more than 2.5% below the best lending rate. It was used in 65.3% of new approvals in May compared with 65.8% in April.

The outstanding value of mortgage loans was broadly unchanged at HK$525.9 billion.

The mortgage delinquency ratio edged up to 0.20% from 0.19% from April. With the rescheduled loan ratio unchanged at 0.33%, the combined ratio was little changed at 0.53%.

Annex (PDF file, 56KB)

For further enquiries, please contact:
Ying-ying Cheng, Manager (Press), at 2878 1687 or
Sara Yip, Manager (Press), at 2878 8246

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
23 June 2006